The Roster

80: Ryan Shaw – 6’4″, 215, R-Fr. 83: Joe Torchia – 6’5″, 250, Jr. 88: Paul Freedman – 6’5″, 250, Fr. 89: Colter Phillips – 6’6″, 245, R-Fr. * Numbers subject to change

When the Virginia football program made the decision to bring in Gregg Brandon as its new offensive coordinator this fall, one of the first questions to spring to mind was “What will happen to the self-proclaimed Tight End U?” With spring practice in the rearview mirror and fall practice under way, we’ve gotten a glimpse at the offensive changes and how the tight ends will be used.

First things first. Where did the moniker Tight End U come from? UVa coach Al Groh started calling his team that as Heath Miller, Tom Santi , and Jonathan Stupar followed in order as tough pass-catching tight ends. John Phillips stepped in and carried that torch well too. Miller, Santi and Phillips all earned All-ACC honors. Not only productive, the tight end position was also a big part of the Cavalier offensive look – the schemes featured two and three tight ends at times.

Brandon’s hire signaled that life for UVa tight ends was going to change, but some adjustments were in the pipeline before his arrival. The Cavaliers already had been using some elements of the spread offense, particularly early last season; plus, the roster numbers indicate that less emphasis had been placed on the proto-typical tight end. Currently, there are only three scholarship tight ends on the roster – Joe Torchia , Colter Phillips and Paul Freedman ; Rod Wheeler left the program in the offseason and Ryan Shaw is a walk-on player.

...